[Linux4christians] ‭Ephesians 4:25-32 (Saturday)

[Pastor David]

‭*Ephesians 4:25-32 (Saturday)*

"Therefore, having laid aside falsehood, each one of you 
speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one 
another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down
on the cause of your anger. Do not give the devil an 
opportunity. The one who steals must steal no longer; rather 
he must labor, doing good with his own hands, so that he may 
have something to share with the one who has need. You must 
let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only 
what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, 
that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve 
the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day 
of redemption. You must put away every kind of bitterness, 
anger, wrath, quarreling, and evil, slanderous talk. 
Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving 
one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you."

*Commentary*

Paul directs that we always be honest with one another 
inside the church.  He allows that we may have
righteous anger but are to not sin in that anger.

When Paul warns us to not allow the sun to "go down on the 
cause of your anger" it is important to note that he speaks 
of the cause, not the symptom.  He is speaking here of 
righteous anger at sin inside of the Christian community and 
insists that such sin must be immediately confronted "... do 
not let the sun go down on the cause".

The NET Bible translator's notes observe that this appears 
to be a reference to church discipline as a means of 
"preventing the devil from gaining a foothold" and 
furthermore for church discipline that is not delayed.

Discipline within our fellowship of believers is to be 
conducted in love (see Eph. 4:1-6) so that those 
administering the discipline are not, in the process, drawn 
into the same sin, or another.

Paul also describes some of the sins to which he refers 
(Eph. 4:28-32).

*Interaction*

*Consider* when our brother or sister sins - we confront 
that sin immediately and in love, treating them as we would 
want to be treated, with respect and with a common 
commitment to persevere along the path to confession, 
repentance, forgiveness, and restoration.

*Discuss* the ways that we must act so that we never 
tolerate sin within the fellowship - because it festers and 
is a poor model for others, especially the less spiritually 
mature; it also provides a spiritual point of entry for the
Enemy.

*Reflect* upon Paul's list of stealing, laziness, crass 
talk, bitterness, anger, wrath, quarreling, and evil,
slanderous talk as sins we must respond to immediately, 
remembering that they are not the only sins for which we 
must watch.

*Share* an example of God calling upon a fellowship to 
respond decisively to sin, what was the result of an 
obedient response or the consequence of a failure to respond?

*Truth in Action*
	
Thank God that He protects His church (believers) from sin 
through accountability one to another.  Thank Him also that 
if, and when, we are faithful in enforcing His love-based 
standard we will experience the blessing of a healthy and 
safe household of faith.

*Be Specific*  ______________________________________


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Sunday's text will be: Ephesians‭ 5‬:1-2
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Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day!  Pastor David
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